Too Anal? Safe For Work...
 

Sorry, it's about being anal in the psychological sense.

Our freezer is jam packed. It's an under counter freezer with three drawers and it is packed to the extent we are in a vicious circle with the top drawer - it is so full it doesn't close properly, so ice builds up in it. Then HM comes home with more frozen food and rams it in, so the drawer never closes properly, builds up more ice, then there is less room for food so it has to be rammed in etc.

Now I am not completely innocent here, as I have a long-standing habit of stockpiling food to make myself feel secure. And I am only paid every two weeks so I have to buy more expensive things in advance, and backups for when I can't afford fresh.

What I would really like to do, is do an inventory of the freezer so we know what's in there. If there are duplicates it means we won't go out and buy them and can structure meals around reducing the freezer food until we're in a better situation. It is for my benefit as well as HM's, although I will admit I suspect he has more in there than me.

If you were living with me, would you think it was too anal?
I've already expressed my opinion that he overloads the dishwasher and washing machine (trying to point out that his aims of saving money and the environment aren't met this way) and I worry he'll just think I'm trying to make a point. I'm not, honestly.

Any opinions?

I'd just go ahead and defrost it and sort everything out. I don't think it's anal at all. I think it's sensible.

What's the point in having a big mess in there?

Trouble is, I can't afford to lose what's in there, so the excuse of a straightforward defrost won't work.

Hmmmmm - he has friends in the area, maybe I can put it to him that way (and have a sneaky inventory so I can work it into the conversation)

Why would you lose what's in there? Just wrap it all up in newspaper as you take it out...or put it in an esky (cold box or whatever you call them over there).

If you're quick about it, it wont defrost. You'd have probably at least an hour before you'd need to worry about food going bad.

A quick way to defrost if you want to make sure you do it quickly is to put a jug of boiling (steaming water) inside the freezer to make the ice melt quicker.

Superstar!
He's playing football tomorrow, I have a plan now.

But the question remains, do I present him with the inevitable inventory?

Absolutely! ;)

I am really fired up for this now - am going to scrub underneath all the kitchen cabinets, clean the kitchen floor, clean the fridge, scrub the toilet and deep-clean the bathroom as well.

That way it's an all over clean and the list of food in the freezer is just an added bonus.
And I won't say a word about it either, let him discover it and then present the list.

I often feel he doesn't notice the individual things I do (which I do to make it worth his while having me here). This is a chance to make a big impact - not looking for thanks, just hoping he'll see why I'm worth it :)

From what you've posted about him I'd say he already knows you're worthwhile mate, but if it makes you feel good about things, I say go for it. ;)

I wish someone would say I was cool. :(

I think you're cool ali!

Wow...I feel so validated now! ;)

I also think maybe SG has an admirer. hehehe

I think you're cool too Ali, but it probably doesn't mean as much online :)
Nah - HM has been my friend since I was 13-15 (depending on which one of us you listen to - he picked on me when we first met!)

HM Bro was also very impressed by my dancing - he mentioned it three times. I was flattered enough to put it on one of my self-affirmation post-its. It counts double from a young gay man because there's nothing else to distract him.

Oh I like this thread drift!

It means plenty when it comes from the right person mate. :)

Maybe he's fancied you all along. ;) You know that boys always tease the girls they like right?

Can we have before/after pictures of the freezer? I love seeing things get all neat and organized. I bet your housemate really appreciates the cleaning--and the nice thing is, cleaning is hard work and counts as exercise!